BENGALURU: Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has hit out at the Karnataka government over the alleged delay in distributing shoes and socks to students of government schools, accusing Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of ignoring the basic needs of poor children.
In a post on X, Ashoka said the academic year had begun three months ago, but students in government schools were still waiting for shoes and socks. Taking a swipe at Shivakumar’s alleged preference for luxury brands, he asked whether the chief minister could not see poor children being forced to attend school barefoot.
Ashoka also alleged that ragi porridge being provided to schoolchildren had been stopped at some places, citing rising sugar prices as a reason. He questioned whether depriving children of food and basic school necessities was the achievement of the Congress government.
The BJP leader further alleged that the government had funds for luxury spending, including renovation and high-profile events, but was unable to provide basic footwear to children from economically weaker families.
He also raised concerns over vacancies and infrastructure gaps in government schools, alleging shortages of teachers, drinking water and toilets.
“Is weakening government schools and benefiting private education institutions the hidden agenda of the government?” Ashoka asked.
He demanded that the state immediately distribute shoes and socks to all eligible government school students and restore the ragi porridge programme wherever it has been discontinued.
ದಿನಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಬಣ್ಣಬಣ್ಣದ ದುಬಾರಿ Louis Vuitton ಶಾಲು ಹಾಕುವ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಶಾಲೆಯ ಬಡ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಶೂ-ಸಾಕ್ಸ್ ಕೊಡುವ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲ!
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @DKShivakumar ಅವರೇ, ಲಕ್ಷಾಂತರ ರೂಪಾಯಿ ಮೌಲ್ಯದ Louis Vuitton ಬ್ರ್ಯಾಂಡ್ ಶಾಲು ಹೊದ್ದು ಮೆರೆಯುವ ನಿಮಗೆ, ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಶಾಲೆಯ ಬಡ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಬರಿಗಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ… pic.twitter.com/hmD0B41ZHO
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) August 31, 2026
Ashoka warned that the BJP would launch an agitation by mobilising students and parents if the government failed to address the issue.
The allegations come amid the BJP’s broader criticism of the Congress government over the functioning and funding of state-run schools.
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